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July 2019
Upcoming Industry Events
 
July 22 - 24, 2019
IMA Summit
 
July 25, 2019
IMRA Day at Hinda Incentives

September 10-12, 2019
IMEX America

September 26, 2019
Incentive Awards 2019

September 26, 2019
IMA-Europe Chapter Meeting - London

September 30 - October 2, 2019
RGCA Forum

November 14, 2019
IMA-Europe Chapter Meeting - Dublin

November 20, 2019
MEA Chapter Meeting - Dubai

March 26, 2020
MEA Chapter Meeting - Dubai
 
See details on these and other upcoming events on our online calendar . 
2019 Strategic Partners

Diamond Level:
Sapphire Level:
 
 
 
  IMA Strategic Partners support our industry education, publication,events, marketing and research initiatives.  
 
 
The 2018-2019   
Board of Directors 
 
President
Ted Moravec, CPIM
Incentive Concepts
      
Executive Vice President
Don Killingback
Wyndham Exchange & Rentals / Endless Vacation Rentals
      
Vice President
Len Sadek, CPIM
Landry's, Inc.
      
Treasurer
Bill Martocci, CPIM
Carlisle Sales & Marketing, Inc.
      
Secretary
Fintan Connolly
Motisha
      
Past President
John Hornbogen, CPIM
First Data - Gift Solutions

Directors
Heather Abbott, IP
Powerhouse Brands Consulting

Nancy Alderman, IP (ITC)
TSYS Loyalty & Prepaid

Jim Atten
RetailMeNot

David Boodey, CPIM
RepLink/The DataDirect Group

Jeffrey Brenner (IMRA)
Seiko Watch of America, LLC

Peter Cannon (IESP)
Ticket Jones

Michael Donnelly, CPIM
Hinda Incentives
      
Katie Dougherty (IGCC)
Red Lobster

Jonathan Grey (Europe)
Ovation Incentives
      
Ashley Harris (IGCC)
National Gift Card

Anne Jetter
Marketing Innovators    
      
Marc Matthews, CPIM
Pulse Experiential Travel

Cristiano Miano, CPIM
Grupo Digi

Billie Reise, CPIM
SBH Special Marketing Group

Randy Renz (IMRA)
Targeting Marketing 
Associates, Inc.

Rick Rubin
National Gift Card

Warren Weaver
Zane's Inc.
 

The board roster is also listed on the IMA website 

Strategic Industry Groups 



 
International Chapter
In This Issue
Letter from the President: Ted Moravec, CPIM
,

We've hit the middle of the year and it's all about opportunities to put the IMA mission statement into action by getting the products and services of our members in front of potential customers. My one year as president of the IMA concludes at the end of the month so I would like to take the occasion of my last letter to the membership to say thank you and give my perspective of the past year.

The best any president can really do is build on the progress that was put in motion by their predecessors. In this, I am very grateful because the IMA has been on an upward trajectory for the past several years. I had a wise and committed Executive Committee that provided their unvarnished counsel to me. 

I can't say enough about the IMA Board. It is the best IMA Board on which I have served. The board members are engaged, motivated and cooperative in managing the affairs of the association. Our members who serve on the various committees are the backbone of what we do. We have an amazing support staff headed by our Executive Director Karen Wesloh and her team. With all that in place the role of president was more one of an orchestra conductor than lead cowboy on a cattle drive.

We started this journey last year with a focus of aligning our activities with our mission statement. That became the filter through which decisions, projects and expenditures passed. I am very pleased to report that we have been very successful in this focus. Let me share just a few examples of this.
  • Our corporate outreach efforts have substantially increased and our IMA and SIG websites, particularly IGCC and IMRA, have enhanced greatly to deliver relevant content and product sourcing resources.
  • We have worked with new partners such as SHRM and strengthened our long-standing partnerships with PPAI and ASI to deliver better education to larger audiences across more platforms than ever before.
  • I truly do not believe that there has ever been a time that our SIGs and Chapters were more aligned with the IMA mission and exhibited more cohesion and cooperation with each other.
  • We are seeing the emergence of the IESP SIG as our lead engine in driving content that will make the mission come alive in more places than ever.
While all this was occurring, we also took care of association business. Our financial condition is the best it has been in years which has allowed us to pick up our investment in corporate outreach. In addition, we experienced growth in membership far beyond our most optimistic expectations for the year. We are on the verge of certifying IMA Middle East-Africa as our newest Chapter, something that wouldn't have happened without the strong support from IMA Europe. We are also progressing in the formation of a Chapter in Brazil. Our global expansion reinforces the image of the IMA as being THE SOURCE for incentive program know-how.

I have sought to use this monthly letter to keep you up-to-date on the goals, activities, accomplishments and challenges of your association. Soon we will gather at the Loews Chicago for the 2019 IMA Summit. There, you will have the opportunity to greet familiar faces, meet new members and expand your knowledge of our industry. Please take advantage of all that the Summit has to offer, including all the chances to socialize and connect, which is really what we are all about: Connecting with each other in the common goal of advocating the use of incentives and recognition to improve business performance.

I wish all of you continued success, it has been an honor to serve as President of the Incentive Marketing Association for this past year.

Ted Moravec, CPIM
President
Incentive Marketing Association
2019 IMA Summit - Get Involved! 
Networking Opportunity: Sign-up to be a Volunteer
We need you, yes YOU! Help out your favorite association and volunteer at the 2019 IMA Summit.

With only one week until the IMA Summit, make sure to sign-up for a volunteer shift or two! Have a blast greeting attendees, assembling gift bags, or helping out at education sessions.

Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the entire conference and in different time increments to fit your schedule. 

Play along with Fellow IMA Members in our Time to Tweet Contest
To have some fun and to reward you for your help, the 2019 IMA Summit planning committee is launching a "Time to Tweet about the Summit" contest.

How to Play:
Earn one point every time you make a post on  Twitter or  LinkedIn  that includes
#IMASummit2019The more you post, the more points you earn! 

Prize:  The individual(s) with the most points at the end of the contest wins a watch courtesy of  Citizen Watch Company of America.

Contest Ends: End of day, July 24th. 

Posts will be tallied July 25th. Standard Twitter and LinkedIn rules apply. 

Fun-Filled Networking Events 
Opening Reception - Summertime Skyline Social
Monday, July 22, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

In response to positive feedback regarding the 2018 Summit Opening Reception, we are once again planning a casual event focused primarily on networking with the option to take part in games and other fun activities. Set on the Loews' rooftop terrace, attendees will have the opportunity to reconnect with the breathtaking backdrop of downtown Chicago. Join your peers in this urban oasis to kick off the Summit!

Food & Beverages: Heavy hors d'oeuvres provided & host bar.
Attire: Comfortable and casual - a light jacket or sweater recommended as this is an outdoor event.

Awards Reception
Tuesday, July 23, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

We've listened to your feedback and are pleased to bring you a renovated awards ceremony. This year's ceremony will be fast-paced and fun while recognizing several great leaders and honorary programs throughout the incentive industry. Master of Ceremonies, Ronny Sage, and mentalist, Chad Collyer, will kick start the event. You won't want to miss it! You'll have time to make dinner reservations or attend other planned activities following the event.

Food & Beverages: Heavy hors d'oeuvres provided & host bar.
Attire: Cocktail attire

Closing Reception
Wednesday, July 24, 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Come and say your 'goodbyes for now'. The closing reception is a great opportunity to tie up loose ends and wind down after three days committed to advancing your career through networking and education. Cheers!

Food & Beverages: Light hors d'oeuvres provided & host bar.
Attire: Casual attire - a light jacket or sweater recommended as this is an outdoor event.
 
Highlighting Some Generous 2019 Summit Sponsors:



Visit our website for the full list of sponsors and information on sponsorship opportunities update links.
 
Experience IMA's 2019 Philanthropy Project 
Each year, IMA supports a local charity and provides opportunities for membership to engage through fundraising activities and IMA Summit session activities. This year, with membership feedback, we've chosen to partner with YMCA of Metro Chicago (The Y).
There will be three components to supporting the Y:
"Notes of Encouragement"
IMA members will have the opportunity to complete "notes of encouragement," which will be included with Back2School Illinois supply kits. Since 2003, the YMCA of Metro Chicago has been the recipient of thousands of sets of school supplies from our benefactor, Back2School Illinois. Last year Back2School Illinois provided more than 17,000 sets of school supplies to distribute to low-income children and families served by the YMCA of Metro Chicago.

YMCA Youth & IMA Member Collaboration Session
We've invited 20 youths from the YMCA of Metro Chicago to participate in a collaborative session where we share knowledge and work together to complete tasks geared towards building a successful incentive industry initiative. The session will be held Wednesday, July 23 between 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. There will be a special guest appearance during the session, which will include the opportunity for a meet & greet and photos.

Opportunity to donate cash, gift cards, and merchandise
When you donate, you help provide:
  • Nutrition education and basic culinary arts education for parents striving to make more healthy choices for their families
  • Family cooking class for families striving to learn in a fun, low stress environment 
  • Healthy snack/dinner options for youth in the Y's afterschool enrichment programs
  • Digital cameras allow youth to explore and document their experiences in nature throughout summer camp.
  • Travel vouchers (hotels, airline miles, gas, etc.) allow the Y to bring the gift of a college tour to a group of teens looking to explore post-secondary education opportunities. 
  • Office supplies (paper, printers, ink, binders, etc.) help the Y's staff save administrative costs to conduct camp counselor trainings for the hundreds of new counselors the Y will onboard this summer. 

IMEX America 2019 - Share a Booth with IMA
September 10-12, 2019 | Las Vegas, NV

IMEX America 2019 planning is almost complete! The show will take place this upcoming September!

IMA is offering to share its booth with interested IMA members. Each year IMA and the companies who share our booth find great success at this event. 

Last year over 13,500 visitors attended the IMEX America conference. Our booth partners were able to pre-schedule one-on-one appointments with potential buyers and there were a number of people that stopped by without appointments.

The IMA staff supported booth partners to ensure they took full advantage of the promotional opportunities associated with exhibiting at IMEX.

If you are interested in participating in a booth with IMA, please email IMA's Executive Director, Karen Wesloh. Please confirm before the end of July.
IESP's Latest Blog: Insider Tips: Are You a Channel Incentive DIYer?
Most manufacturers know that channel incentive programs are an effective way to engage and connect with their sales representatives, distributors, dealers and more in a way that ultimately benefits their bottom line.  Continue reading  Are You a Channel Incentive DIYer?



The Incentive Engagement & Solution Providers (IESP) delivers valuable resources, including its recent additional strategy of blogging . Posting blogs helps inform essential ways professionals can strategize and operate in a to-the-point, easy-to-read fashion.
ASI Show Chicago - Recap & Thank You!
Our member volunteers had great conversations informing distributors on how IMA's suppliers and representatives can help them sell corporate gifts and incentives in Orlando and Fort Worth earlier this year and has continued in Chicago this week!

Thank you to all of the members that volunteered to serve in the booth!
  • Debbie Bertram, Continental Premium Corporation
  • Jeffrey Brenner, Seiko Watch Company of America, LLC
  • Brad Brettschneider, Hinda Incentives
  • Cindy Mielke, CPIM, Tangocard
  • Tom Myers, Nikon, Inc.
  • Mark Oldenburg, Great Lakes Incentive Group
  • Lore Rincon, Continental Premium Corporation
 

IMA presented  three sessions at all ASI shows in 2019. The three educational sessions were:

Corporate Gifts 101: Expanding Your Business with Corporate Gifts
Corporate Gifts 201: What Corporate Gift Suppliers Can Do For You
Corporate Gifts 301: How Distributors are Profiting from Corporate Gifts
Newly Obtained Incentive Professional Designations
Congratulations to our latest industry professionals obtaining the Incentive Professional (IP) accreditation. We appreciate your efforts!

Wendy Reed, IP,  Hinda Incentives
Michelle Flores, IP, Hinda Incentives
New IMA Members
Please welcome our new IMA members!  Click on the company names to visit their website.

New Primary Member for New Company
Jesse Badwal, Indinuity
Rick Carlson, Aloe Up
Jason Kohn, Partnerize
Gilmar Pinto Caldeira, Honour Experiences
Todd Tomlin, Your Gift Card Team

New Primary Members for Current Company 
Joe Chalmers, MT&L Card Products
Sharon Dick, Travel Tags
Wayne Weber, Gift of College

New Affiliate Members for Current Company 
Ryan Digges, Tango Card Inc.
Kevin Heinzelman, Workhuman (formerly Globoforce)
Firoz Khan, Swych, Inc.
Sarah Tancini, Incentive Solutions Inc.
Brian Tantalano, Bitmo, Inc. 

To look up any member of the IMA, use the online directory
Trending Industry Articles 
OH&S Features Safety Incentive Articles by IMA Members

Motivation Is In The Cards

5 Incentive Travel Trends for 2019

Measure & Improve

Incentive's 2019 Roundtable: Top Trends Affecting the Incentive Industry Today
Peer to Peer - Updates on industry news for companies with IMA members
InComm Acquires Hallmark Business Connections, Enhances Employee Engagement Offerings
Read here | Posted on 6/3/2019 

Worldpay and Next Level Performance Give Back with Community Service Event in the Bahamas
Read here | Posted on 5/29/2019 

Motisha appoints Ulrike Graebel as Managing Director DACH
Read here | Posted on 5/15/2019 
Missed Last Month's Edition?
To see previous issues of the Fast Take, go to our website's Member Central section and click on IMA Fast Take Newsletter.

Incentive Marketing Association | info@incentivemarketing.org
www.incentivemarketing.org | (952) 928-4649

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